Our bees and butterflies, and other pollinating insects, such as moths and hoverflies, need your help. As more land is built on and paved over, there’s less for them to eat, and they’re increasingly reliant on gardens to provide them with pollen and nectar. But you can help them by growing open-flowered, nectar-rich plants. You don’t need lots of space – a small area, 1m square, is enough to host a whole range of plants, and if you choose carefully, these plants will provide a banquet of blooms all year round. Having a variety of flowers in bloom for as long as possible will ensure there’s food for pollinators all year, from spring right through to winter.

Browse our pick of the best plants for pollinators in summer and autumn, below.

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